Suffering two major setbacks in the space of 3 months, the newly appointed interim coach Jerome Jayaratne will be scratching his head pondering about the Lankan batting woes, especially at the Test level.
As it was clearly evident, apart from a few innings in the two recently concluded Test series more often than not it was poor batting that resulted in the lions conceding a 2-1 defeat against both India and Pakistan.
With the modern game taking its toll on the players, where extravagant leagues and relatively larger number of games are played, one might feel that the players, especially the batsmen are finding it difficult to adopt and adjust to the variety of formats the game pitches.
At a time when the entire world witnessed two magicians from the Island nation, who used their wands to perfection, bow out from international cricket, it has added more salt to the Lions batting wounds. Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene served the country to the fullest, carrying a hefty burden on their shoulders and more often than not being on top of their game to reach legendary heights.
As another Test series looms, ideally the management should brush aside the past and focus on the present pool of talent as there isn’t a point or time to direct fingers/find fault with individuals/authorities for the recent failures in the Test arena. Talking about talent, Sri Lanka is second to none when it comes to scouting great potential.
After the retirement of T.M Dilshan, apart from Kaushal Silva and Dimuth Karunaratne there does not seem to be anyone competent enough to fight for the number one and two positions. It is an area of concern the administrators and coaches should meticulously look at. It’s a tough pill to swallow when there is a serious shortage of good quality openers within the domestic system since it forms an integral part in the success at the test level. Yes you get the flamboyant and aggressive openers who’ll look at scoring boundaries and sixes frequently, but that is not what is desired at this level. It’s a totally different ball game altogether. Patience and perseverance are the keys to batting success in Test cricket.
Laying the foundation at an early stage and setting up a platform for the middle order batsman basically is the role played by an opener. Thus the ability to read, judge and understand pitch conditions, bowlers and their strengths is a prerequisite to succeed as an opener at the highest level. At present Kaushal and Dimuth seem to be getting there but need a lot more work and hard yards to be put in, especially when it comes to leaving the new ball and to avoiding hanging the bat at deliveries pitched within the corridor and outside off stump.
In any batting line up number 3 and 4 are absolutely critical, especially test cricket. Basically the entire innings is expected to be anchored by one of the two. Up until a few a months ago we had no issues concerning this as the two legends Sangakkara and Jayawardena ran the show creating record after record. Now with the positions being vacant with their retirement, it creates a massive gap to fill and a challenge for any batsman taking up the two slots.
Ideally, Lahiru Thirimanne should be given the opportunity to bat at number 3 as he possesses a sound technique and a good thinking mind. One might argue that stating the number of failures he’s had in the recent past especially against both Pakistan and India, does not even qualify him to find a place in the playing XI, but then again there is no other batsman capable enough with the required temperament and experience within the current batting contingent who could take up the challenge and bat at no 3. It’s a tough ask batting in these positions as it imposes responsibility on the batsman to control the innings.
Post Sangakkara’s retirement skipper Matthews was compelled to bat at number 4, which in my opinion is not the place for him to be batting. He exposes himself too early to the opponent and on a day when the Lankan score reads next to nothing with 2 wickets down you would not want Matthews to be at the crease in such a situation. As Sri Lanka’s most reliable batsman at present, early on Matthews is generally vulnerable to the new ball and the tendency of him losing his wicket is a high probability. Thus is the need for him to be placed at number 5 so that he not only expose himself too early but also strengthens the not so experienced and somewhat bleak lower middle order.
With this in mind the major concern will be as to who bats at number 4. Since the position is an integral part of the line up the selectors will be pulling their hairs out to identify the most competent batsman to take up the number 4 opening. By the looks of things they will be left with 2 options. One is to get Chandimal to bat 4 and award Mubarak another chance to bat at 6 since his performance in the recently concluded two test series were relatively good as he made noteworthy contributions, especially against India in the second innings of the first test played at Galle. The manner in which he counter attacked the opposition at a time when his place in the team was once again threatened was heartening to see.
The other option is to retain Chandimal at 6 and draft a youngster into the XI. However at present looking at performances in the domestic and international level (“A” team) apart for a few not many can raise their hands to take up this vacant slot. Kithuruwan Vithanage, Ashan Priyanjan and Dhananjaya De Silva are few names that come to mind when considering young blood that can vie for a place in the Sri Lankan test side. Another player that will be knocking on the doors to don the test cap will be Milinda Siriwardene. Whilst having enjoyed a dream debut ODI and T20 series against Pakistan, the tall left hander from Kalutara is another potential candidate to make an entrance into the test arena. But the concern will be whether he’ll be able to bat at No 4, a position he has experienced in the domestic front.
With that being said if Matthews bats at 5 whilst having either Mubarak, Siriwardene or any of the potential youngsters mentioned before (assuming Chandimal bats at 4)bat at 6 with Kusal Perera batting at 7 the lower middle order will then have a good mix of experience and new blood. Kusal in my opinion has the potential to become someone in the caliber of former legendary Aussie wicket keeper batsman Adam Gilchrist. His ability and skill is something that is gifted and unique to him and with duteous application will take him to reach greater heights.
Finally the tail, the Lankan lower order failed miserably against India whilst the Indian tail batted with great intent and determination. It was quite disheartening to see the mode of dismissals of the Lankan tail enders which showed immaturity, irresponsibility, lack of discipline and the inability to understand situations. The new coaching unit will have to stress on improving and fine tuning the batting capabilities of the bowlers whilst their primary focus is to get wickets, none of them are mucks with bat.
To be honest Sri Lanka Cricket could not have asked for a better opposition for the forthcoming series as West Indies is another team going through turmoil with continuous issues at the top resulting in radical reforms from changing captains to leaving out key players from their test team. It will be the perfect platform for these two teams who are desperately trying make their way back to the top as competitive test playing nations, to make the best of the opportunity where the players in the both the teams will be eager to make a mark and establish themselves as a permanent feature in their respective team in the Test arena.
